Volbeat, Three Days Grace and Wage War Bring The GOAT To The Calgary Saddledome

A night of high energy, Canadian pride, and a band from Denmark that truly is the G.O.A.T., or at the very least, they’re In the Barn of the Goat Giving Birth to Satan’s Spawn in a Dying World of Doom. I’ve been to a number of concerts at the Calgary Saddledome over the years, and this one had a different feel when you walked in the doors. It wasn’t just that people were excited to see live music, they were exuberant about getting to see two icons of the industry. The co-headliners for the show, Volbeat and Three Days Grace, boast nearly 50 years combined in the music industry. You tend to build a massive and very passionate following in that amount of time.

Start By Waging War

That opening paragraph isn’t meant to diminish the amazing opener that’s touring with these two legendary acts. Wage War, a metalcore band reigning from Florida, has amassed an extremely loyal following in their now 15 years in the metal scene. So much so that there were fans I spoke with who were only there because of Wage War, seeing Three Days Grace and Volbeat was just a bonus.

I’ve been a fan of Wage War since picking up their latest album, Stigma, and was looking forward to seeing them live. I’ve watched footage from some of their other shows, but the YouTube experience just can’t match the real thing.

They hit the stage with a power that nearly took the roof off the Saddledome, and the opening track “NAIL5” hit harder than I ever expected. It probably knocked a few unsuspecting attendees flat on their asses.

The set was made up of tracks from their last three albums, with most of the focus on Stigma—playing Blur, Tombstone, Happy Hunting, Magnetic, and the opener. I would’ve liked to hear at least one track from each album, but it can’t be easy squeezing five albums into a 35-minute set.

Setlist aside, this band knows how to put on a show. The lighting was intense without being blinding, and the cryo smoke added a sci-fi touch. While not specific to Wage War’s set, the stage’s catwalk gave more fans a spot on the rail and closer access to the vocalists throughout the night.

If you’re a metalcore fan, you really need to check this band out and catch them live on this tour—if you haven’t already heard of them, maybe you’re not quite the fan you think you are.

Canadian Legends In Full Force

Let’s start with a little background, on me, not the band. On the way to the show, I figured I’d throw on some Three Days Grace to reacquaint myself with their music. Turns out I didn’t need to. Of the 23 songs on the playlist I picked, I already knew 20. No research required.

Their setlist was packed with every scream-along radio hit you’d want to hear at a Three Days Grace show. Early on, between songs, Matt Walst encouraged the crowd to chant “Three Days Grace, Three Days Grace,” and by the fourth song, the crowd had caught on. The chants came between nearly every track for the rest of the night.

One of the standout moments was when they brought a fan up on stage to sing Just Like You. Alyssa, with purple hair and all, absolutely crushed it.

The band took a moment to talk about how their songs have helped people, including themselves. During the VIP meet and greet, one fan gave them a letter about how their music saved their life. It’s stories like that that show how deep this band’s connection with their fans runs, and with a new album set to drop August 22, 2025, that connection’s not slowing down.

Have you really experienced a live show if you haven’t screamed “I hate everything about you” at the top of your lungs while having the time of your life?

Something About A Goat, A Farm, And Satan’s Spawn

I totally failed the memory test Michael gave us during Volbeat’s set, thankfully, the guy in front of me had the full title on the back of his shirt so I could stop repeating In the Barn of the Goat Giving Birth to Satan’s Spawn in a Dying World of Doom in my head and actually enjoy the show.

I’ve been a fan of Volbeat ever since hearing the opening riff of Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood. There was just something raw and different about their sound. Michael’s vocals sealed the deal for me. Yeah, I went there—so did Volbeat Monday night, playing Seal the Deal and 15 other tracks.

They hit all the classics and still made room for four songs off their new album, easily one of their best. It was a perfect balance for longtime fans and newer ones alike.

I can’t count how many times I was told you need to see Volbeat live, now I get it. It’s not about theatrics, animatronics, or massive video productions. It’s about the music. I love when a band gets on stage, throws up some lights, and just plays. That’s real musicianship. Some people want a “show.” Most just want to see their favorite band and sing the songs that helped them through life. Whether you were screaming “Fight! Fight! Fight!” or singing along to The Devil’s Bleeding Crown, or mouthing every lyric ever written, you were locked in from start to finish.

One moment that stood out: Michael joined in with a group of bare-chested guys in the lower bowl who had their shirts pulled over their heads by doing the same. That kind of connection, the small, weird, human moments, is what makes a live show unforgettable.

The Goat Will Go On

This whole lineup put on a night to remember. Wage War proved they could headline their own arena show. Three Days Grace brought us back through two decades of hits while making new memories. Volbeat showed us that music can be pure entertainment, deep meaning, or anything in between.

More than just the title of Volbeat’s latest album, G.O.A.T., this tour has been billed The Greatest of All Tours Worldwide, hitting 70 stops across the globe. The lineup rotates, with support from Halestorm, The Ghost Inside, Bush, Gel, and more.

Take it from someone who’s now heard it a dozen times: you need to see Volbeat live—but don’t sleep on the openers or the co-headliner. This whole package? It’s worth every damn second.